Hinges for sectional folding table tops



"Jul 31, 1962 E. A. l. JOHANSSON ETAL 3,046,595

amass FOR SECTIONAL FOLDING TABLE TOPS Filed Feb. 10, 1960 IN VENTOR S E 8 BE ANDERS ISRAEL \TOHANSSON v m STl/RE ALLAN MATTMS JOHA NSSON BY whiz:

ATTORNEYS 3,046,595 HINGES FOR SECTIONAL FOLDING TABLE TOPS Ebbe Anders Israel Johansson, 6 Kaptensgatan, and Sture Allan Mattias .lohansson, Felix Korlingsgatan, both of Halmstad, Sweden Filed Feb. 10, 1960, Ser. No. 7,883 2 Claims. (Cl. 16-146) The present invention relates to hinges for sectional, folding table tops, of the kind in which the hinge flanges are angular and the portions of the same adjacent the hinge pivot pin form an angle with each other while the other portions thereof are secured to the table to sections.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and reliable device for interlocking the hinge flanges when the table top sections occupy the position for use, i.e. are flush with each other.

The invention is mainly characterized in that a latch is pivotally mounted on that portion of one of the hinge flanges by means of which said hinge flange is secured to one of the table top sections, said latch being swingable in a plane parallel to said table top section and adapted to engage that portion of the other hinge flange which projects from the other table top section for the interlocking of the hinge.

The latch may consist of an arm having notches at one of its side edges adapted to receive the portions of the hinge flanges projecting from the table top sections.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated on the accompanying drawing; wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view from beneath of portions of the two sections of a table top provided with a hinge according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 shows the hinge viewed in the direction of the arrows It-II in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a section along the line II'II II in FIG- URE l, and

FIGURE 4 is a side view of a collapsible table embodying the invention and shown in extended position.

The table top sections 1 and 2 are interconnected by means of hinges of which only one is shown in the drawing. The portions 6 and 7 of the hinge flanges 3 and 4, situated adjacent the hinge pivot pin 5, are bent downwardly and project nearly perpendicularly from the table top sections, so that the hinge pivot pin is located at a distance from the table top. On a pivot pin 9 perpendicular to the table top section 1 and secured to the hinge flange portion 3 there is pivotally mounted a latch arm 8 of L-shaped cross section. That portion of the latch arm which is parallel to the table top section 1 is at one of its side edges provided with two deep notches 10- and 11 adapted for receiving the portions 6 and 7 of the hinge flanges which portions 6 and 7 are provided with corresponding notches 12 and 13, respectively, for receiving the latch arm 8 (see FIGURE 3).

The table top sections are locked in the position for use shown in the drawing by swinging the latch arm 8 to the position shown with full lines in FIGURES 1 and 2 and with dotted lines-in FIGURE 3, and in this position the latch arm 8, by interlocking the hinge flanges, prevents these and consequently the table top sections being swung in relation to each other.

What We claim is:

1. An improvement in hinges comprising a pair of hinge leaves each having a flat portion capable of being attached to one section of a foldable table top and a second portion extending at an angle to its respective flat portion, a pintle, each of said leaf second portions having a free end surrounding said pintle for the pivoting of said leaves therearound, a latch having a flat portion pivotally mounted on one of said leaf fiat portions for pivot ing in a plane parallel to its respective leaf flat portion to and from said leaves second portion when said leaves flat portions extend in line with one another and having slots in one edge thereof positioned for receiving the second portions of both leaves when said latch is pivoted thereto retaining said leaf second portions in a fixed position and thereby preventing said table top sections from movement. 7

2. An improvement in hinges as claimed in claim 1, wherein said leaves second portion each have a slot in one side thereof for receiving a portion of said latch therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 485,613 Deane a Nov. 8, 1892 574,397 Coulter et a1. Jan. 5, 1897 2,725,590 Ziegler Dec. 6, 1955 2,803,033 Rachman et al Aug. 20, 1957 

